For nearly 2,800 years, the Chinese have used extracts from the Ginkgo biloba tree to treat a variety of conditions. Ginkgo helps promote healthy brain, metabolic, and cardiovascular function (i.e., blood, blood vessels, circulation).220-256

Ginkgo contains numerous antioxidants such as proanthocyanidins and flavonoids that counteract free radical activity. Flavonoids are also known to strengthen capillaries, which can promote healthy blood flow to the brain to help maintain cognitive health.227-229 Ginkgo may:

• Help maintain normal circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets230,231
• Help maintain the normal function and tone of blood vessels,227 and maintain a normal blood flow232-235
• Maintain already normal oxygen and glucose metabolism in the brain236-239
• Maintain normal coagulation of blood231,240
• Reduce tissue damage caused by low blood flow.231,236,241-243
• Help control radiation-induced brain edema in vitro244, 245
• Help slow the aging process in the brain234,246-252
• Ginkgo biloba extract is reputed as a neuroprotective antioxidant agent.253-255

It is known to protect the energy-producing mito-chondria within the cells, thus enhancing oxygen utilization and cellular respiration.256
In a study to determine whether ginkgo extract could prevent age-associated cellular changes, the brain and liver mitochondria of old mice fed ginkgo extract in their drinking water was compared to those of young and old control mice. Mitochondria from the mice given ginkgo exhibited significantly less genetic damage, peroxide generation, and oxidation of the crucial antioxidant glutathione than non-supplemented mice. In addition, mitochondria from old mice given the ginkgo extract resembled those of young mice much more closely, being similar in size and morphology. The study concluded that standardized ginkgo extract prevents age-related decline in mitochondrial structure and function by protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage.257

The premium-quality botanical extract in Ginkgo Biloba Certified Extract™ has been concentrated and dual-standardized to ensure the highest quality, consistency, and biological activity. The phytonutrient profile of Ginkgo Biloba Certified Extract™ is comparable to the GBE 24/6 extract used in clinical studies worldwide and monographed in German Commission E. The health regulatory agency that regulates ginkgo purity in Germany mandates that ginkgo not contain more than 5 ppm of ginkgolic acid. Ginkgo Biloba Certified Extract™ contains less than 1 ppm of ginkgolic acid. Ginkgolic acid is a substance related to anacardic acid (poison ivy) and may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Ginkgo Biloba Certified Extract™ has the lowest ginkgolic acid level commercially available.

Ginkgo Biloba Certified Extract™ has high levels of ginkgolide B (>0.8%), which is the most studied terpene lactone and thought to be a major regulator of platelet activating factor (PAF). PAF is a powerful physiologic-responses mediator for many processes.241,243,249,255,257